OIC Calls For Urgent Action To Save Remaining Islamic Cultural Heritage
09 November 2017EsinIslam And Agencies
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) recently called on member
countries for urgent action and appropriate ways of protecting the remaining
Islamic cultural heritage against loss and neglect.
OIC Secretary-General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen made the call during
an international conference on "Islamic Action for the Protection of Cultural
Heritage" held in Istanbul, Turkey, November 1-2.
In his address, delivered by Mehla Ahmed Talebna, OIC general director of
cultural, social and family affairs, Al-Othaimeen also called for adapting
these ways through international initiatives and mechanisms for cultural
heritage preservation as a whole, and to save and restore endangered heritage
in Islamic countries.
He called on participants to develop cultural policies and plans on cultural
heritage protection for adoption at the 10th Conference of Ministers of
Culture to be organized by the Islamic, Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (ISESCO) in Khartoum, Sudan, on November 21-23.
He stressed that the OIC has committed itself to being a stronghold and
protector Islamic cultural heritage and identity and accord the highest
priority to the protection of cultural heritage in holy places.
Al-Othaimeen pointed out that the preservation, protection and enrichment of
cultural heritage will contribute to countering the distortion of the image of
Islam.
For her part, Talebna said that the International Conference on Cultural
Heritage in the Muslim world was initiated by the general secretariat of the
OIC and adopted by the 9th Islamic Conference of Cultural Ministers organized
by ISESCO in Muscat, Oman.
She said the conference aimed to contribute to safeguarding the cultural
identity and memory of the Islamic civilization in terms of historical
knowledge, ancient sciences, universal values, traditional architectural
knowhow, traditions, among others.
"We need to move urgently with the aim of saving our rich cultural heritage,"
she said.
The conference was organized by the Research Center for Islamic History, Art
and Culture in cooperation with the OIC General Secretariat and ISECO.
OIC pledges to cooperate with UNESCO for protection of cultural heritage
JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday pledged to
cooperate with UNESCO in fighting intentional destruction and illegal
trafficking of the cultural heritage in conflict zones.
Addressing the 39th session of UNESCO's general conference in Paris, OIC
Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen applauded the UN body's call to include
protection of cultural heritage in the tasks of peacekeeping missions and
other global programs.
Al-Othaimeen said combating terrorism and extremist ideology is at the top of
his organization's agenda. In this regard, he said, the OIC has launched
"Voice of Wisdom" project, which seeks to spread the concepts of tolerance and
moderation.
The OIC, Al-Othaimeen added, seeks to raise awareness among the youth about
the perils of joining the ranks of terrorist outfits.
The OIC chief also condemned Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and its
persistent attempts to alter the demographics of the occupied East Jerusalem.
He urged the UNESCO to take necessary measures to ensure preservation of the
historical and cultural heritage of the Palestinian state.
The OIC chief also met the newly elected director-general of UNESCO, Audrey
Azoulay, on the sidelines of the conference.
Heads of both the organizations reiterated their commitments to further
strengthen cooperation to ensure protection of cultural heritage, access to
quality education and technology for sustainable development.
Speaking at the UNESCO event, the director-general of the Islamic Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Abdul Aziz bin Othman Al-Twaijri,
said proper education is crucial to lasting peace.
Therefore, he said, UNESCO has huge responsibility over its shoulders,
especially in the current global scenario marked by political tensions,
economic crises and armed conflicts.
"As a result, millions of children are deprived of their right to pursue a
decent education in a normal atmosphere of security and stability," Al-Twajiri
said.
The ISESCO chief said education is a must for economic and political
development.
He deplored the state of education in the developing word. "Today, the number
of refugees in the world exceeds 50 million, 25 percent of whom are children…
"While ISESCO is monitoring this situation and making constant efforts to
ensure access to education for refugee children … international cooperation in
this important area is still a very pressing need," Al-Twaijri said.
He expressed hope that UNESCO will play its due role in this regard.
The ISESCO director-general said the world should take necessary steps to save
the present and future generations from the dangers of ignorance, extremism
and terrorism.
"A real mobilization is required to ensure security and peace and equal
education opportunities for all …" he said.
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